Talisman Players?

Which players do you think are the modern day versions of those talismanic individuals like Keith Woods or Dean Richards, whose mere presence on the pitch lifted the team and inspired them to play their socks off?

For me I think that Parisse is one. Italy struggled to find any form or leadership without him but almost took a famous scalp with him back at the helm.

A potentially controversial one this but I think Ben Morgans has the making of one for England. The pack play 20% better with him on the pitch and deliver great attack platforms. Without him it has been pretty flat this tournament.

What are your choices?

BOD without a doubt.Maybe Ryan Jones as well.

Parisse, BOD, Carter, McCaw.

BOD! How could I have missed him?
Will never forget us all singing Waltzing O'Driscoll during the lions.
What a player.

Picamoles
Parrise
Cole
BOD
North
Hogg

Talisman is all in the mind

BOD, O'Connell, Parisse and McCaw standout as the obvious ones for me.

McCaw is a good call.

BOD seems to be the firm favourite at the moment.

Conrad Smith - best win rate out of the ABs I understand.

Better than McCaw's? Smith is another good shout as a talisman. I don't think there any others apart from Smith and the four I named. A shame for those teams who aren't blessed with such players.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10840351

So last years loss to England must be his 7th loss of his ABs career.

I can't be bothered looking for the exact figures but the difference between Ireland's win rate with BOD and without BOD is astounding. In the 6 Nations the win rate is over 70% with BOD in the team I think. And way down in the 30's when he's not playing. Coincidence?

Adam Jones - I always feel Wales are not 100% without him.

BOD - Simply because he is Ireland.

Shane Williams - The best at what he did the world ever saw.

McCaw, Umanga & Carter.

Jonny Wilkinson for England

Halfpenny is slowly turning into one for Wales, and rightly so.

SA: John Smit
IRE: BOD
AUS: John Eales
NZ: McCaw
WAL: Gareth Thomas
SCO: Hastings
FRA: Dusatoir
ITA: Dominguez
ARG: Pichot

GunsGerms wrote:SA: John Smit
IRE: BOD
AUS: John Eales
NZ: McCaw
WAL: Gareth Thomas
SCO: Hastings
FRA: Dusatoir
ITA: Dominguez
ARG: Pichot

Which Hastings ?

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:SA: John Smit
IRE: BOD
AUS: John Eales
NZ: McCaw
WAL: Gareth Thomas
SCO: Hastings
FRA: Dusatoir
ITA: Dominguez
ARG: Pichot

Which Hastings ?

I think you would have to say Gavin was a slightly more important player.

GunsGerms wrote:SA: John Smit
IRE: BOD
AUS: John Eales
NZ: McCaw
WAL: Gareth Thomas
SCO: Hastings
FRA: Dusatoir
ITA: Dominguez
ARG: Pichot

ULS: Nick Williams

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:SA: John Smit
IRE: BOD
AUS: John Eales
NZ: McCaw
WAL: Gareth Thomas
SCO: Hastings
FRA: Dusatoir
ITA: Dominguez
ARG: Pichot

Which Hastings ?

Is this a trick question?